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hello, world. my name is ilene (aka illy). this is my blog where i like to write about life, laughter and the pursuit of real happiness. creamer with a pinch of coffee, songs played on repeat, red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting, and reading into the hours of the night top my list of favorite things. and life. i am a follower of Jesus and i love life.

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Monday, December 27, 2010

who would have thought?! snow in the south!? but we got some! and everyone here is beyond excited. people were running out the door at church screaming It's snowing! It's snowing! At least the roads haven't shut down yet. it's not even an inch and everyone starts freaking out. yes, it is very amusing for a girl from chicago. and yes, that's snow in my hair, not dandruff for clarification.

so sadly, i was sick with the worst cold (or maybe allergies?) ever on christmas day. it was pretty depressing - but i'm so glad that i wasn't sick during our midnight dinner and opening of presents. most of our festivities happen at midnight so i was able to lounge and be lazy with the rest of the family on christmas day. it was just that i felt HORRIBLE and that was not fun. i went through 3 boxes of kleenex and too much OJ for anyone to consume.

since i was in PJs all day Christmas, i definitely was in the mood for something for more festive on Sunday. (and so thankful that going to bed early and taking dimetapp like mommy instructed helped so that i slept like a rock and felt so much better in the morning!!)

turlteneck: gift from mom years ago/ruffle vest: H&M/ belt: forever21

skirt: Target / tights: Target / boots: Belk

and of course, the big question of the week:

{how was everyone's CHRISTMAS?!}

my family starts most of our christmas festivities on Christmas eve. (remember the article from the post last week? read up if you didn't get a chance to!) here are a few images from our fun night. i had way toooo many to post but at least you'll get a feel of it. i have more than i'll upload later this week but now, hope you enjoy!

and christmas isn't entirely over for us!! my sister and her husband fly in on Sunday to spend a week with us. we are so STOKED! haven't seen those two crazies since July. they live in Iowa and are serving in a church out there, so it's harder for them to fly out as often as they did back in our college days. can't wait to spend some good time with them. i've missed them SO much!

hope everyone had a magical, uh-maaaazing christmas with family or friends!

You look gorgeous! You have the best tights collection! :) My Christmas was great, got to see a lot of family I haven't seen in awhile. Love that. Looks like you had a pretty fabulous Christmas, too! So good to hear!

LOVE those purple tights! I got some, but a little lighter in color, for Christmas! Can't wait to wear them :) And your family is so cute! LOVE the pictures from Christmas! I love that bible picture too... my Dad reads from it every Christmas :) Love ya sweet friend! So glad it was great! And yay for snow!! Haha.. my NC and SC friends kept sending me snow pictures. <333

Great purple tights! Glad you had such a fun Christmas (I bet you can see all of those outdoor lights from space! So cool!). I spent a lovely time here in France with my family. I'll be coming home 10 lbs heavier :)